Two Lakh marooned in flood water in Jajpur.

Jajpur,30/07(PPT): The flash flood in river Baitarani Kharosotra and their tributaries have inundated large areas of the riverside villages under Dasarathpur, Korei, Rasulpur, Barachana and Dharmasala blocks of Jajpur district and its nearby areas.

Incessant rain and flash floods in the rivers marooned on Thursday at least two lakh villagers in the district . Large areas of flood hit villages are also now under flood water .

The flood water engulfs the agricultural fields in many villages .

With floods engulfing large areas of the district and its adjoining areas, fears of an epidemic outbreak looming large over the marooned villages. Large number of flood affected people are being compelled to drink polluted river water as almost all the tube wells and wells are now under the flood water. Flood water entered the houses of many people and increased chances of water-borne diseases breaking out.

The chief district medical officer along with other doctors and para-medical staff visited flood-affected villages to take stock of the health conditions of the flood-affected people.

Many farmers are worried as the floodwater damaged their paddy crops. “I raised vegetables over my two acres of land . But the floodwater washed away all the vegetables worth fifty thousand rupees. I used to earn around five thousand each month by raising vegetables over my land . Now I have become a pauper”, said Gunanidhi Jena (56) of Kaspa village “We hope the state government will provide us financial help and seeds to again raise vegetables “, added Jena.

District Emergency Officer Ashok Behera said around 31 gram panchayats had been completely cut off from the mainland due to the floods. “Boats have been deployed to evacuate marooned residents to safer locations. 11,565 affected residents have so far been shifted to 37 cyclone shelters and schools, where food and other essential relief are being provided”. Senior BJP leader Goutam Ray on Thursday visited many villages.